Sealing device



Oct. 30, 1951 H L, SOLE 2,573,504

- SEALING DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- as 3b ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1951 H. L. SOLIE 2,573,504

SEALING DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum/7'00 HAROLD L. 504/5 ATTORNEYS H. L. SOLIE SEALING DEVICE Oct. 30, 1951 s She et s-Sheet s //vi//\/T0R HAPOLOL. Sour: fig-J2 I I ATTORNEYS Filed Feb. 2, 1948 Patented Oct. 30,1951

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEALING DEVICE Harold L. Solie, Minneapolis, Application February 2, 1948, Serial No. 5,819

' I This invention relatesto a new and improved readily detachable sealing device adapted .for use in connection with a shaft to preventthe through an opening in a wall through which the shaft may pass, as for example, the end walls of a pasteurizer. The invention will be described 9 Claims. (Cl. 2867) infiltration or leakage of oil lubricants and other H foreign matter through a shaft bearing or with particular reference to pasteurizers, al-

though it is to be understood that the invention may be equally applicable to other devices or apparatus in which a similar problem may be encountered.

Conventional pasteurizers usually comprise a suitabletank in which there is disposed a horizontal agitator provided witha shaft whichcustomarily passes through suitable openings in the end walls of the tank and are mounted in bearings provided exteriorly of the end walls of the tank. It is ,of utmost importance in the operation .of a pasteurizer thatmeans be provided at the end walls ofthe, tank where the agitator shaft passes through to preventaccess of grease, lubri- To prevent the possible danger of oil and shaft where it passes through the tank end walls thereby to prevent foreign matter from entering the pasteurizer around the shaft. v v

1 Heretofore such sealingv means or packings have customarily been in the form of packing glands used. in combination with a suitable packing or sealing element which could be compressed. againsta suitable backing plate or the "bottom of a bore by manipulation of the packing gland, thereby to compress the packing against the shaft to prevent leakage. Such sealing devices, however, are not, readily, accessible for clean ing, replacement, or repair and, as a result, some operators would often operate a pas-;

vteurizer for, long periods without replacement,

or removing the ,packing for; cleaning whereby "there was ever present the possibility of contamination. from lubricants and other foreign matter, as well as. bacteria, with the result that products processed in such -equipment might become contaminated and raise the questionas to the suitability of such equipment on the part of ihealth authorities.v r ".['I'he novel sealing device herein disclosed has been found ver effective to positively seal the 2 openings in the end walls of a pasteurizer ta through which the usual agitator shaft passes. Moreover, it is so constructed that it may readily be removed without difficulty for cleaning or replacement, whereby it is possible to subject the packing to daily cleaning and sterilization and thereby eliminate all question of food contamination.

An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a readily detachable sealing device which may be quickly and conveniently applied to a shaft to seal the opening in a wall through which the shaft may pass, and which device has means for retainin it in sealing engagement with the shaft and the wall in a manner to positively prevent the passage of foreign matter around the shaft through said opening. Y

A further object of the invention visrto provide a sealing device comprising a readily removable annular cage fashioned to support an annular packing element, said cage and packing element being split and the cage comprising complemental semi-circular sections pivoted together and provided with means whereby they may be swung outwardly to open positions, after a packing element has been inserted therein, whereby said sealing device may be quickly fitted over a shaft .or removed therefrom, and means being provided in conjunction with the. packing cage to look its complementalsections in closed condition around the shaft and whereby the packing, which may project axially from the open endof the cage, may be compressed against a suitable backing plate to thereby force the compressible packing into sealing engagement with the periphery of the shaft and thereby positively seal the opening through which theshaft passes againstall leakage.

A further object isto provide a sealing device adapted for use in connectlonwith a novel packing element to be used on. the shaft of a pasteurizer to prevent the entrance of lubricants and other foreign matter through the openings in the end walls thereof through which the agitator shaft passes, said device comprising a split pack-q in supporting cage operable'to embrace the pasteurizer shaft and having means for forcibly axially translating it on the shaft against a suitable backing wallor plate to thereby compress the packing against the shaft and backin plate whereby leakage around the shaft is made im-- possible.

Other objects of .the invention reside in the unique construction of the sealing device, per se, whereby it is self-contained and may readily be fitted onto or removed from the shaft with which it is to be used when the supporting means therefor is made inoperative; in the means provided for securing the sealing device in operative position on the shaft which means is readilyaccessible for manipulation and serves the dual function of locking the sealing device in operative position and axially translating it on the shaft to cause the packing of the sealing device to be compressed against rithelshaftjz'in the 3111681118, provided in 'th-e operating mechanism for the sealing device for taking up wear in the packing element; in the provision of means in the packing cage for sealing the joint between the split ends.,oi. the packing'when the packing element is in operative position upon the shaft; in the construction-of such a sealing device and its associated rnecha:

nism which readily lends itself foruse-inconnection with the agitator shafts of pasteurizters and other equipment where it may be found appliwab or whsr byrsaidime hanism may he manufaced. m u nutymoeucum at low cost; and-in provision of sucha ealing. device and opermg vtmechanism therefor .which is extremely siniple @to ,operate, wifiereby. an inexperienced apperatorimay quickly remove and inter-chan e or Q horohghly an the Ran in sprovided aronnd the shaft at the end walls of a pasteurizer or Iother apparatus, and whereby. the. packin which is'of ,lahi hlyliabsorhen nature, readily lends/ itself for da yi leahingfland ster ization in a comparaitive'ly-short period. 01 time, v 1. i Otherrohjectsof1theinvention will appearirom ltheifo lowine d scriptionaand the a company n j drawings and will Joe-poin ed out in. the ann xed "claims. j J i V ""Inthe accompanying drawings there has been disolos da structure: desi ned to carry out the flariousiohiects ofthe-invention, but'it is to be .hnd rs oosithat the invention is ot'oonfined to i'lie exa tieatur sish wh, a variou phansesm y he mad w thin s o e o t e c aims wh h fol ow, .7 a v Inthe drawin s:

line of h eurezgs owihs anventional f m h a ing t u tu oneend of a pa euriz hth nve t on embodied-therei a h w- :1 sth s al ng de oooh at y ensaso v ith past ur zor h t; c r it s re z is ap v e o Fi ure '1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus, partially insection, and showing thesealing deviceinposition to be fitted around the pasteurizer fsh'aftythe securing .means thereforbeing shown in "inoperativexposition; t V j Figure 4 is a similaryiew but showing the seal- "ingdevice in position on the pasteurizer shaft with the; me ans for locking the sealing device in clos'ed positmn engaged v therewith; V

Fi ure l \is a. long tudinal s ct ohalv ew entre showing a flexible sealing strip embodied in one of the sections of the packing supporting cage for sealing the exposed portion of the joint between the split ends of the packing element when the novel sealing device herein disclosed is composedz'of a compressibleigasket element$ which risrsplit, as shown at 2 I; and is prov ided with overlapping ends 22 to serve the purpose of comllpletely sealing the ends when compressed. The

compressible packing element 20 is removably "15 contained within an annular supporting cage,

.shoWn: in--Ei gures 6, 7, 11 and 12, and generally designated by the reference character 0'. The

Fi ures .1 and 4, thereby .to. facilitate applying the ,device to aishaftofthecharacter shown onthe I=draW ngsor removin it therefrom, as indicated in ottedili inFi uresl, Band Pins zit-ex- Ltend throu {c e pond ng holes. in .thersemicircular members 2 3 and .23? of thehpackingicage 1C and erve-to h ld the pa king "element infiche cage in such a manner that when the, handles 25 ar mo ed rom theposition shown inTie'ure e "1;'F ure'5- is a'perspectiye-view of the compressible packing' element'removed from the page; jfFigurejfi is a view showing, the compressible packing fitted into the split-supporting cage and thecagejbeing shown-in closedcposition; I {Figure 7jis a view similartdFigure 6 but showji is the pag pen p s ti n;

j Figure dis a transversesection on the ,line 3+8 fof'Figure 3; v V v Figures is atransversesection on the line 9- 9 offFig-ure 4; 7 "-'--Figu-re 10 is a "longitudinal section similarto Figure 1 but showing a sealing device operating mechanism of slightlydifferentconstruction;

7 Figure His view on a s'lightlyflargor scale,

'to the position shownin'jjigilre ,7,' th.e cage and 'packine el inent are. op ned, as shown in Figure 17a wh rehyth c ge mayreadiiy be fitted around a cylindrical body such asths a itator-shaft of ajco v tion ljpas e partial-1y indicated in therdrawin s. a

.iWith par i u ar ference to pli'igurese 1 and '2, litpw l be ee tha the s alin device isdesigned for application to a cylindrical. body such .as a shaft pas in t roug wailasifor example. on end. wall o a cp st uri-zer, gitsvpurpose being .to seal the joint between the shaft and wall o e ng In he d awin sithere is. shown; as h s nbsf re stated, a rportiotri 'of an. end wall 30 of a co v nt onal pasteurizer; through which a h 3!. passes. .Inthis instan e the shaft is h llow nd, serves as a means .forcirculating a h attr nsfe med um throu h the hollow member such as a pasteurizerrepilfl.

A backing ring or plate .33, preferably of noncorrosive material, isrfixedly supported in the opening in th end wal143.0\and has an openin therein adapted to receive. the-shaft. 3i. JIhe backingjpl'ate 33 serves as a pressure plate against which the packin material ..or elementlfl may be compressed by axial morementfiof the. packing cage C onthe shaft '3], as will later be described. 7. i llhe m ns provided for axially translatin the packing cage c7 along the'shaft ..3l to .force the packing .elementrzo pinto. sealetight enga ement with'thebao he plate 33..an.d shaft 3|, isshown compris n a yoke 34 of substantial ,.u-.shaps con u ati n- The o e; tithes its clos d po t on disposed over, the shaft with its legs arranged .to [straddle the shaft; a plearly illustrated in Fi ur s v 2, 4, 9 and 10, when the yokeiscin er ti e. pos t o with the cagefl- .The y ke has a pair. of rms '35 wh ch, when th -y ke. isuin operative engagement with the cagohmay be disposed par lel r l t on to thesh'aft and exte d in asiirsotioh awa 'f oi itho eeand have their opposite ends pivoted to an operating member 31 by suitable pivots 36, as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The operating member 31, which may be substantially semi-circular in configuration, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, is shown having the lower terminals of its spaced legs pivotally mounted on pivot pins 38 secured in a fixed portion 39 of the bearing structure of the shaft.

A toggle mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 40, is composed of a pair of links 4| which are pivoted to the bearing structure by a pivot pin 42. A lever 43 is pivoted to the other ends of the links 4| by a pivot pin 44. The forward end of the lever 43 preferably has a stud 45 adjustably mounted therein by suitable screw threads 46, and a lock nut 41 is received in threaded engagement with the stud for securin it in adjusted position. The head of the stud 45 is preferably shaped as shown, and is adapted to be received in a depression 48 provided in the operating member 31, as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 10. The portion 49 of the bearing structure of the shaft terminates in a rotary seal which may serve as a means of introducing the heat exchange medium into the shaft, as will be understood by reference to Figure 1.

,As hereinbefore stated, the terminals of the split packing element are notched or stepped, as best illustrated in Figure 5, whereby the terminals of the packing element are disposed in overlapped relation when the packing element is confined within the cage C, as illustrated in Figure 6. It will be noted that when the packing element is thus confined within the cage C, a portion of the joint between the overlapped ends of the packing element is disposed on the periphery of the exposed portion of the packing element. To prevent any possible danger of leakage through the joint at this point, a flexible sealing strip 50, preferably of rubber, is seated in a recess 5| provided in the side wall or flange 24' of the cage member 23', as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The flexible sealing strip 50 is so positioned in the recess 5| that its inner face is substantially coincident with the inner face ofthe fiange'24', whereby the packing element may readily be fitted into the cage and removed therefrom without interference from the sealing strip 50. The

sealing strip projects beyond the edge of thev flange 24' a distance substantially equal to the projection of the packing element 2|], when seated therein. The sealing strip is so located in the cage member 23' that it will overlie the joint between the ends of the packing element 2|lwhen .0, grasps the handles .25 of the sealing device and opens the cage members 23 and 23, asshown in Figure 7, whereby the ends of the sealing element and said members 23 and 23' may be passed over the shaft 3| and closely fitted thereto by spreading apart the handles 25, as shown in Figure 6. While the handles are so held, the cage locking yoke 34 may be lowered from its inoperative position, shown inFigure3, to its operative position, shown in Figures 4 and 10, into engagement with the closed cage C, whereby the cage will be received in the recessprovided in the end of the yoke, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 10, after which the operator may release his grasp on the handles 25.

The semi-circular operating member 31 is next thrust forwardly towards the end wall 30, whereby the packing element 20 is pressed into sealing engagement with the backing plate 33, as a result of the yoke 34 being pivoted to the operating member by the pivots 36.

The head of the stud 45 is next inserted into the recess 48 in the member 31 and the operating lever 43 of the toggle mechanism 4|] moved into the locking position shown in Figure 1, whereby the pivot 44 passes over a center line drawn between th'e'pivot 42 and the terminal of the stud 45 to thereby securely lock the apparatus in operative position.

When the toggle mechanism is so locked, the packing element 20 is firmly compressed against the backing plate 33, and because of the packing 20 being substantially confined within its supporting cage C, it is compressed against the periphery of the shaft as well as against the backing plate, whereby access of foreign material into the pasteurizer around the shaft at this point is positively eliminated.

At the end of a days run, or whenever necessary, the packing element 20- may be quickly removed for cleaning and sterilization by simply releasing the toggle mechanism, and then throwing back the yoke 34 to the position shown in Figure 3, whereby the pressure against the packing cage C is released and the cage may be then opened by manipulation of its handles 25 to permit its removal from the shaft. After having thus been removed from the shaft, the packing element may readily be slipped out of its supporting cage C, as shown in Figure 6 and thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, or, if necessary, a new one substituted therefor.

From the foregoing, it will thus be seen that the entire operation of removing and replacing the packing element 2|! may be accomplished in a matter of a very few minutes thereby making it a simple task to clean and sterilize the packing element 20 at the close of each days run, whereby all danger of contamination of the contents of the pasteurizer, as a result of foreign matter and bacteria finding access therethrough around the shaft 3| is substantially eliminated.

In Figure 10 there is shown a structure of slightly different construction wherein the toggle mechanism comprises spaced links 52 corresponding to the link 4| of the structure shown in the previous figures. In Figure 10, the upper ends of the links 52 are pivoted to a bracket 53 which is suitably secured to the bearing structure 54 by such means as bolts 55. The toggle lever 56 shown in Figure 10 is also slightly differently shaped from the one shown in Figure 1. operation of the toggle mechanism illustrated in Figure 10, however, is identically the same as the operation of the toggle mechanism shown in Figure 1.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the ernbodiments, herein described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodi- The amazin A readilydeta'chable sealing device of the class 1 described, comprising a cage having compl'emen'tal semi circular members pivotally connected. together whereby they-may. be opened up an'djfitted around a shaft, said members: when in closed position, providing an annular: seat a split compressible packing elementtsupported: in saidlseat, the depthof saidseat 'being relatively less-thanthe axial lengtlr of; the packing element, thereby to cause one endrof' said packing to project slightlybeyondthe adjacentface of the: cage, a: pair of handles secured: to the cage members whereby the cage may be opened to; facilitateape plying the cage and packing to the shaft or re: moving it therefrom, anda pint securedin the swingableend of each cage member receivable in sockets. provided in the packing element for securing-thepacking endsrtothe endssof thegcage members and whereby the packing, element may be drawn intoclose contact with the. periphery of the shaft around-its entire. circumference;

2. A readily-detachable sealing device, of-the class described, a cage comprising complemental semi-circular members pivotally connected, together whereby, they may be cpenedupand'fitt'ed around a shaft, said memberswhen in closed po' sition, providing an annular seat, a split. compressible packing element supported in said seat, the depth of said seat being relatively less than the axial length of the packing element to cause one end of said packing toproject slightlybeyond the adjacent face of the cage, apair of handles secured to the cage members whereby the cage may-be opened to facilitate applying, the cage and packing to the shaft or removingitthere from, and pins'fixed inthe cage-members for immovably securing the ends of the packingelement to the ends of the cage membersand whereby the split ends of the packing may be drawn tightly around the shaft, the ends of said packing element being stepped whereby said endsfimay overlap each other at the joint thereof; and a" sealing element overlying the joint between the overlapped ends of said packing at' the periphery of the packing, when the packing isoperativei applied to the shaft.

3. In a sealing device of the class describedya split cage comprising complemental' semi-circular members cooperating, when closed, to provide; an annular seat of substantial depth adapted toreceive a split compressible packing, meanswhereby the cage members may readily be opened up tofaoilitate applying them to a shaftor removing them therefrom, and a rubber-like' el'ement secured to the end of. one of said cage members;

adapted to overlie the jointbetween theends'. ot the compressible packing, when the latter is fitted about a shaft and is operatively engaged therewith thereby to prevent: leakage through the packing joint; :1

4; In a sealing device of the class described, a

split cage comprising complemental semi-circular members-"pivotally connected together; whereby they'may be opened to facilitate: applying them around a shaft, asplit compressible packing element supported in said cage and encircling the shaft, a yoke fitted over the shaft and having a recess in the face thereof for receiving the pack-- ing cage when the latter is in closedoperative engagement with the shaft; thereby to secure the split members of the cage against opei-iing and the toggle mechanism for longitudinally trans faitin'g the yokiorr the 'shaft' te'thereby'compress the packing "against a. suitable packing-1 plate; ,1 51". In combinationwith a container wallihavi'ng an. opening therein'and a shaft passing through saidopening, a backingplate secured to said wall and having an opening therein for receivin'g the shaft; a: sealing device'comprising-a split cage composed of semi-circular members pivoted to-'' gather and when in closed position providing an annular seat, a'splitcompressible packing element received in saidlseat', means engageable with the complemental'mcmbers of said device-for'securing'said members in closedposition around the s'haftfand' means-for longitudinally translating said securing means and-'packin'gcage on the I shaftto -firmly compress th'e packing against-the backingplate, thereby-to positively prevent ac-- cess'" or lubricants and foreign matter into the containerj'or leakage of the contents of the'con f t'a-iner throughsaidwall around the shaft, Incombination witha container wall having an opening therein and a shaft passing through said opening, abacking plate secured to said wall and havingan" opening therein aligned with the opening'in'the'wall, a sealing device comprisinga split cage compose d of semi circular members pivoted together and when in closed position proridingan annular seat of substantial depth, a split compressible packing element secured in said seat and completely encircling'the shaft, means for securing the complemental members of the sealing device in closed position aroundtheshaft, whereby the packing" element is firmly compressed against the periphery of the shaft, and means'for longitudinally translating the sealing device on the-shaft to-fmove 'the' packing against the back-f ing" plate, and" compress it thereagainst, thereby to= positively prevent leakage between the peripheryof the shaft and the wall of the opening through which it passes. f 7'. In combination with a container wall having arropeningtherein and a shaft passing through said opening, means for preventing leakage through'sai'd wall around said shaft, includingasplit cage, a split compressible packing element in 'saidcage completely encircling the shaft, and axially projecting from one end 'of' the cage-abackingplatesecured to the wall of the container against which said packing is seated, a yokehavii'ig a'recess in its outer faceadapted to receive the-packing when the latter isin closed operative position around "the 'shaft, and thereby to retain the sealing device in such a position, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said yoke, whereby the yokemay be axially translated on the shaft to force the packing into sealing engagement "with the backing plate, and the periphery of the-shaft, and means embodied in the toggle mechanism for taking upplay in the parts, whereby the packing may be retained in leaktight engagement'withthe shaft and backing plate. 82-;Incombinationwith a container wall having an'openingthereinand a shaft extending through opening, co'mprising'a-cage composed of complemen-tafsemi-circular members pivoted together and cooperating to provide-an annular seat, when the members are in closed position, a split compressible packing'supported in said cage and encircling the shaft, said packing projecting fromone end of the cage, angularly disposed handles secured to -said cage'members, whereby theymay beapplied-teor removed from the shaft, a; backing plate secured to said wall against which said packing is seated, a yoke having a recess in its outer face adapted to receive a sealing device when the latter is in closed operative position on the shaft, thereby to retain the sealing device in such position, a toggle mechanism operatively connected to said yoke for axially translating said yoke on the shaft to force the packing into sealtight engagement with the backing plate and the periphery of the shaft, and means embodied in the toggle mechanism for taking up play in the parts, whereby the yoke may always be firmly engaged with the packing cage to positively hold the packing in leaktight engagement with the shaft and backing plate, and also whereby the split cage is locked against accidental opening.

9. In a sealing device of the class described, a split cage comprising complemental semi-circular members cooperating when closed to provide an annular seat of substantial depth, a split compressible packing received in the annular seat provided by said cage members and having one side face thereof projecting beyond the cylindrical wall of the cage, means whereby the cage members may readily be opened to facilitate applying the sealing device to a shaft or removing it therefrom, a sealing element secured to the end of one of said cage members adapted to overlie the joint between the ends of the compressible packing when the latter is fitted about a shaft and is operatively engaged therewith, thereby to prevent leakage through the packing joint.

HAROLD L. SOLIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 563,577 Drum July 7, 1896 1,178,629 Corns Apr. 11, 1916 1,701,777 Jensen Feb. 12, 1929 

